Despite holding a parliamentary majority, the Carney government of Canada has no immediate plans to legislate its recent commitments to protect the country’s waters and lands, as stated by Nathalie Provost, the junior nature minister. During a session at the House of Commons environment committee, Provost confirmed that the government is not currently working on this legislation. The Trudeau administration previously introduced the Nature Accountability Act in 2024 to meet the 30×30 nature targets, aiming to conserve 30% of Canada’s land and water by 2030, but the bill lapsed when elections were called in 2025. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May criticized the government’s $3.8 billion nature strategy, suggesting it lacks accountability without corresponding legislation. Environmental groups have also expressed skepticism about the government’s commitment to introduce a new bill, citing the need for stronger measures to enforce accountability for conservation efforts.
Why It Matters
The commitment to conserve 30% of Canada’s land and water is part of the global Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which underscores the importance of biodiversity conservation. The failure to pass the Nature Accountability Act raises concerns about the government’s ability to track progress and hold itself accountable for achieving its environmental targets. Without legislation, there are no formal mechanisms to ensure the implementation of conservation strategies, potentially undermining efforts to protect Canada’s natural resources. The lack of a robust accountability framework may hinder long-term environmental sustainability and the protection of biodiversity in Canada.
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